Journal of Security and Sustainability Issues

This article attempts to identify and analyze the factors influencing the shaping of regional energy policy in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, with particular emphasis on the potential for the development of renewable energy based on biomass. The aim of the publication is to determine the potential for the development of biomass resources, taking into account the criteria of sustainable development, i.e. economic, ecological and social aspects. So far, few researchers have dealt with this subject in a comprehensive way, and so far there has been a lack of detailed research on the potential of biomass in the West Pomeranian Region. The presented analyses are an important contribution to the development of knowledge about alternative energy sources in the energy sector. The research material used in the article comes from various sources, both domestic and foreign, including empirical data from scientific institutes of energy and fuels and regional institutions dealing with energy.

The article solves the current scientific problem of substantiation of theoretical and methodological bases of forecasting the regional aspect of ensuring economic security of the national economy and the development of conceptual guidelines and practical recommendations for improving management processes. The impact of threats on the economic security of the regions was determined. The use of cluster analysis tools allowed to determine the impact of socio-economic development factors on the economic security of the regions. It was established that the economic security of the “Higher”regional cluster is affected by such threats as the loss of sales markets, reduction of protection and rational use of natural resources, the level of control over corruption, political stability and the absence of violence/terrorism. The economic security of the “Average”regional cluster is affected by declining political stability and the absence of violence/terrorism, protection and rational use of natural resources, loss of sales markets, reduction of human development level, efficiency of state power, supremacy of the law. The economic security of the “Lower”regional cluster is affected by the loss of sales markets, declining human development level, control over corruption, efficiency of state authority, political stability and the absence of violence/terrorism, protection and rational use of natural resources. It is recommended to develop the Strategy of economic development of regions on the basis of the world experience for the purpose of ensuring economic security of national economy of the country.

The objective of the study is to examine the mediating impact of competitive advantage on the relationship of supply chain management (SCM) practices and firm performance of the pharmaceutical industry of Thailand. For this purpose, the questionnaires were distributed among the 1400 supply chain manager which yield a 40% response rate. Based on SEM analysis, it is found that customer relationship (CR), time to market (TM), postponement (POS) have a significant association with the firm performance. While, supplier partnership (SP), information quality (IQ), information sharing (IS) have an insignificant association with the firm performance. On the other hand, it is found POS, CR, IQ, IS, SP have also a significant association with the competitive advantage, whereas, POS is not having a significant association with the competitive advantage. In addition, the mediating effect shows that competitive advantage has a partial mediating among all of the SCM practices and firm performance of the pharmaceutical industry of Thailand. These findings show that competitive advantage is considered to be a significant mediator in the relationship of relationship of SCM practices and firm performance of the pharmaceutical industry of Thailand. The current added a body of literature in the form of empirical findings which could become an area of interest for the future research. The research is also beneficial for the supply chain managers to know about the importance of SCM practices to improve the firm performance through the competitive advantage. The research limitations and future directions are also discussed at the end of the study.

The shifted research gaze in energy security studies leads to formulation of new question – is it possible to talk not only about objective indicators of material deprivation and poverty caused by the lack of energy security, but take into account indicators from sociocultural dimension? By analyzing solely objective processes and considering economic and political reasons as well as consequences of energy security do we not forget to analyze less visible but not less important aspects of norms, values and power relations, for example how energy security is related to social exclusion? Social exclusion in the paper is defined as process in which the minimum quality of life is not available for the individual or conditions that increase insecurity, shame, psychological discomfort, lack of confidence, lack of self respect and dignity. The ambition of this article is to contribute to consistency of theoretical discussion by tackling energy security to social exclusion as well as by setting methodological guidelines for the assesment of energy security impact on social exclusion. Based on various theories and research models the methodological framework is being laid down in the paper which would encompass such questions as - how public interest is recognized and represented in energy security policy; how (and if at all) the interest of smaller social groups (environmentalists, pensioners, poor, etc.) is defined and represented; whether energy security policy acknowledges interest of poor, deprived and disenfranchised individuals or addresses solely to active and powerful (from consumption point of view) individuals; how existing energy security policy treats and fosters to feel vulnerable groups?

Sustainable development and efficiency of public sector remain priority of governments. Hence, governments are concerned with assessment, plan and measure of functions performed by public institutions. However, various problems related to the methodology of functional review are indicated. The paper aims to develop the model appropriate for the planning and execution of functional reviews in public institutions. The research is based on the method of systemic analysis what let us carry out comparative analysis and synthesis of prevailing models developed by different scholars and practitioners. Suggested model contributes to sustainable development of public institutions by providing consistent guidelines relevant for various stakeholders.